So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 3:40-51

So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 3:49-51

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 3:40-51, where the Lord commands Moses to take a redemption price from among the firstborn (above and beyond the firstborn of the Levites).  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God commands Moses to collect a redemption price for each firstborn from among the people of Israel above and beyond the count of the firstborn from among the Levites - see vv39, 43, 46-47. This price - 1,365 shekels (273*5) is then collected and provided to Aaron and his sons.  God holds with high regard the role of the priesthood in church and seeks for the priesthood to be supported by offerings and this is carried over from the Old Testament (see Leviticus 7, Numbers 18, and Deuteronomy 18) to the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 9:13-14).  Such support allows the priesthood focus on their God-given duties without minimal distraction.  This is emphasized in v41 and v45 where God says the "the Levites shall be mine," implying that God is reserving them from among all of Israel for a special purpose.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The designation of the priesthood as mediator between God and the people first started in Exodus 20:19 where fire, smoke, thunder, etc. at Mount Sinai terrified the people and they pleaded with Moses to intercede and speak to God directly on their behalf.  The New Covenant based on Jesus' shed blood did away with this as believers can now go Jesus directly without the need of any intervention.  The role of a lead pastor exists now for teaching and shepherding the church and should be viewed as such.  However, many church attendees overemphasize the role of the pastor in their own personal relationship with Jesus.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid overemphasizing your pastors' role in your personal relationship with Jesus.  Claim the promise that you can approach Jesus with confidence (directly).  Support your lead pastor and church leadership.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and I know I can approach You directly and with confidence.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out for me daily.  I know these never cease.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:5-10

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.  Numbers 3:7-8

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 3:5-10, the Lord speaks to Moses and describes the duties of the Levites.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In describing the duties of the Levites, the Lord first tells Moses to bring the Levites near, before Aaron, so that they can minister to Aaron.  In today's church, the lead pastor needs care and protection in his role - encouragement, wisdom, protection from sinful influences, etc. - pastoral staff and the elders typically serve and provide for this care and protection.  The Lord then further describes the role of Levites more akin to how deacons serve in today's church, by keeping guard over the whole congregation. First and foremost, the Levites are emphasized as servants, "given to Aaron and his sons" (v9).  V10 describes a limit, similarly described in text from a post a few days ago, and with the new covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, no such limit exists for believers.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Everyone has a role in the church and those in the church need care and support, including leadership.  All of God's gifts work together in the body of the church supporting one another and the church as a whole. See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid selfish desires.  Claim the promise that God gives each member of the church worth, value and an important role to play.  Follow the example of the Levites who serve and watch over the whole congregation.  Love and serve others.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and provides for Your church, giving us leaders that faithfully serve.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You provide such blessings, and most importantly, my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:32-45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:32-45.  Excerpts from the commentary's fourth (of four) division (v45):

• The title of the fourth division per the commentary is "Consider Christ When Being a Servant." 
• "There is no thought in the Bible that the ransom was paid to Satan. At the cross Satan received only one thing: his defeat and ruin. Also, the price Christ paid was not taken from Him." See John 10:18.  
• "“For even” emphasizes the remarkable humility and service of One who should by all rights be honored and served. The “Son of Man” title (Daniel 7:13) is wed to “ransom for many” language (Isaiah 53:12), which radically redefines who and what Messiah would be. He is a suffering Messiah, a servant Messiah. The man for all men, the Man from heaven, the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."  
• "We needed a ransom because we had all gladly and willingly sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. When He purchased us, our slave masters—sin, death, hell, and Satan—had to set us free!" See 1 Peter 1:18-21. 
• "The greatest and best person who ever lived and walked on this earth was a humble servant. He got down low so that He might lift others up. He, as Philippians 2:3 says, “consider[ed] others as more important than [Himself],” all the way to the death of the cross. And now He calls us, those who follow Him, to do the same." 
• 'If we are going to do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way, we must take Jesus’ teaching seriously: He does not want us to press on to the greatest place unless he himself makes it impossible to do otherwise. . . . If we have the world’s mentality of wanting the foremost place, we are not qualified for Christian leadership.' Commentary quoting No Little People, Francis Schaeffer. 

The core of Christian leadership is the inverse to much of our worldly leadership where the focus is on self-glory.  Love God, and love others.  For those in leadership, the greater accountability there is to remain humble and to serve others. See also Philippians 2:3.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves - serving all of humanity above Yourself.  Thank You for being the final sacrifice for sins - taking upon Yourself the penalty I should have paid.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:1-9

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. Malachi 2:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 2:1-9.  With the focus being God's judgement upon the priesthood, the commentary outlines the following divisions:

1. God’s Curse against Israel’s Priests for Their Depraved and Apathetic Worship (2:1-3)
2. God Reminds Israel’s Priests of Their Covenantal Role Model, Levi (2:4-7)
3. Four Ways Israel’s Priests Failed to Follow the Covenant Role Model of Levi (2:8-9)
   

In particular, commentary for the 2nd division offers useful insights for us to see re: how Levi modeled attributes any leader (church, parent, etc.) should seek, including:

• Godly commitment towards the role God places people in
• Godly character, most prominently demonstrated through a reverent fear of God, including a "mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy, and awe that should fill a worshiper’s heart when giving reverence to God."
• Godly communication; someone "who stands on the infallible, inerrant Word of God, preaches the entire counsel of God, and leaves the results to God."  This attribute is also demonstrates how you guard the Word by "giving it away" to others. 
  

It is sad to note how the priesthood in Malachi's time failed God and ultimately failed God's people and this led to separation from God and silence for 400 years until God sent Jesus as the incarnate Son of God to do away with the fallible nature of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood.  The good news is that Jesus is our great High Priest - see also Hebrews 4:14-16.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for being the Great High Priest who continues to intercede for me and my sin - and for my salvation.  I am not deserving for my salvation and for how You continue to interceded for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:1-9

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. Malachi 2:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a review of Malachi 2:1-9, which continues from the past couple of days where God admonished the priesthood for its failure to point God's people to Himself with proper worship for the One True God.  God's message to the priesthood is pointed and it includes a promise (God does not make empty threats) to the priesthood should they not listen or take His message and command to heart (vv1-2a).  V2b shares how God has already cursed them because of their sin so far.  V3 describes God's very graphic punishment seems to imply that God sought to bring shame and guilt to the priesthood by spreading dung in their faces - the very dung from their imperfect offerings (see posts from past couple of days).  God's wrath will also reach down to the offspring of the priesthood - a very clear message that God does not trust the leadership to rise up and disciple Godly children to be the next generation of priests.  God's wrath also shares how the priesthood will be taken away - implying at the very least that they will be removed from their role, but likely much more harsh, perhaps exiled in some form.  V4, it appears, summarizes how God sought to deliver this message to the priesthood with an eye towards maintaining His covenant with the tribe of Levi - the traditional priesthood. God then shares this covenant with the tribe of Levi in vv5-6 and how the priesthood of Levi kept is promise to fear God and to be in awe of Him.  His instruction and speech was true...he lived peacefully and righteously and "turned many from" sin. V7 reminds us of the awesome responsibility of the priesthood to guard knowledge (from being polluted by false teaching), such that it can be used for the benefit of others who seek God's Word.  V8 then returns to God's view of the priesthood that they failed to do what He sought and "caused many to stumble by [their] instruction" and "corrupted the covenant of Levi."  The text for today concludes with v9 which shares how God makes the Levitical priesthood "despised and abased before all the people."  Such a punishment foreshadows how Jesus will ultimately become our great High Priest although he is from the tribe of Judah.  For believers this is certainly a wake up call and reminder for those in positions of responsibility, not just pastors, but also parents who are called to train and disciple their children in the Word and ways of God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You for my salvation and the blessings You continue to pour out every morning and that never cease.  Thank You for putting Godly leadership in my path to point me to You.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:14-15

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.  Haggai 1:14-15

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:14-15, which the commentary outlines these verses as both the the third and final subdivision of 1:13-15.  The commentary title for this subdivision: The Lord Stirs the Spirits of the Leaders and the People to Encourage Them and Equip Them to Obey.  Here we get a glimpse of how God works as he "stirred up the spirit" of the governor, the high priest, and the remnant of the people.  If we surrender to God, God is not only with us (v13), but He is in us and directing our thoughts and ways.  Romans 12:2 is instructive here for how we are called to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" and how we "may discern what is the will of God." It is then God who brings about our obedience to Him - see also Romans 1:5. Excerpts from the commentary for this subdivision:

• Here the commentary focuses on leadership - the governor and the high priest - and how the influence of leadership works among the people.  God equips, enables and works through leadership - even though all leadership is prone to sin as we all are.  God places earthly authorities in our lives - see also Romans 13:1. Leaders should recognize their role and surrender their own hearts to God...and the people will follow - see also 1 Corinthians 11:1. 
  
• Heart condition is key and it is the Lord that works in our hearts. Leadership should recognize that heart condition is what drives change and action. 
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has placed Godly leaders in my life to direct me to You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of You stirred up the spirits and hearts of people who lead me who in turn lead me to You. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of these blessings nor my salvation or any other blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare[.]

1 Timothy 1:18-20

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare[.] 1 Timothy 1:18-20

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series - picking up with 1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Part 1, with the video entitled Wage War by Faith and a Good Conscience. 

Excerpts from the video:

• V18 is the focus of the video
• John Piper describes how Paul's charge here aligns with previous efforts; refer to 1 Timothy 1:3-6; do not let false doctrine take hold in the church; set yourself as a good steward in God's house to implement God's plan - build faith
• Previous prophecies are less known although referred to vaguely in 1 Timothy 4:14
• These prophecies will be used to wage the good warfare; also having faith and a good conscience enable a good warfare
• We don't know what these prophecies are but faith and a good conscience enable them
• Looking back at 1 Timothy 1:3-6, God's household plan in faith is love that issues from faith and good conscience; see also 2 Timothy 4:6-7 on keeping the faith and keeping the good warfare; the charge to Timothy is to establish God's household plan by faith, to establish a community full of love that exalts Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that never leaves or forsakes me - giving me power to accomplish things I am unable to do on my own and enabling me to keep the faith.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how good You are to me and how You save me.  Thank You Jesus.  My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Titus 1

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. Titus 1:13-14

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 4, the focus is Titus 1 and a review of this text assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.  The first chapter of the commentary explores Titus 1:10-16.

From the commentary:

• Main idea: "For the church to be sound in the faith, its leaders must confront false teaching and false teachers."
  
• Excerpt from the introduction: "The Bible is filled with concern about false teaching and its danger to the people of God. Limiting our survey to the New Testament, we find strong words and warnings from Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, and Jude."  This includes Matthew 7:15, Mark 13:22-23, Acts 20:29-30, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 2:18-23, 4:1-3, 2 John 7, Jude 3-4, and 17-19. God's call to our ministry of reconciliation, includes not just peace, but also rebuke and confrontation when necessary - and the latter is appropriate for false teachers and those who are deceptive with the Word. 
  

Divisions from the commentary:

1. We Must Confront Those Who Are Divisive (1:10-11): It is noted that there were many false teachers in Crete.  Characteristics of such divisiveness included "empty talkers" with no substance, those seeking "shameful gain," and deceivers who promoted a "Jesus plus theology," and a "[hu]man-centered message."
   
2. We Must Confront Those Who Are Deceived (1:12-14): Here, those are fall prey to false teaching must be confronted for what they believe. Paul refers to Epimenides in v12 in a description of the Cretan false teachers. 
   
3. We Must Confront Those Who Are Defiled (1:15-16): We are urged to see fruit in others as a litmus test whether they are truly abiding in Jesus and the Word - or if they are idolators who are defiled and lack purity, denying Jesus not just with their words but also denying Jesus works that are motivated by purity of heart.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me. I am not deserving of such grace and compassion - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Titus 1

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 3, the focus is Titus 1 and a review of this text assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.  The first chapter of the commentary explores Titus 1:5-9.

From the commentary:

• Main idea: Qualified leaders of the church must be men who exemplify godliness in every area of their lives— their commitments, conduct, character, and convictions.
• Excerpt from the introduction: "God believes leadership of the local church is so important that He addresses the issue in detail four times in the New Testament: Acts 20:28-38; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4. Emphasis in each list falls on a leader’s personal character and theological competency.  God is primarily interested in who you are and then what you do." 
  

Divisions from the commentary:

1. He Must Be a Man with Godly Commitments (1:5-6): We are referred to Acts 27:7-12 for text that describes Paul's time in Crete, as well as to Acts 2:11 where it notes that Cretans were in Jerusalem on Pentecost.  It is also noted how that, although the gospel spread quickly in certain areas, it proceeded slowly on Crete - implying strong leadership from men such as Titus was needed. Paul instructs Titus to seek order and structure in the church and to appoint Godly men as leaders to accomplish these ends. Above all a church leader should be a model for others to imitate and "above reproach". Sexual purity is key - as opposed to sexual immorality such as extramarital affairs. A leaders family and the character of this family must be Godly and the leader must demonstrate Godly leadership in the home.
   
2. He Must Be a Man of Godly Conduct (1:7): Godly leaders must, in all that they do, demonstrate Godly behavior and maintain a reputation as such. The text describes both positive and negative character traits, including not being arrogant, hot tempered, a drunkard, a bully, or greedy - all negative traits a leader should not be known for.  
   
3. He Must Be a Man of Godly Character (1:8): On the positive side, the text points to hospitable, loving what is good, self controlled, sober minded - maintaining a Godly perspective.  The commentary notes how this trait is so important Paul refers to it 5x in Titus 1-2 (1:7; 2:2, 5, 6, 12).  Godly character is described as flowing from Godly priorities and perspective.  Godly character is also described as self-controlled, implying that while Godly passions are positive, earthly passions are not and that we must (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) have "mastery over our passions and impulses." 
   
4. He Must Be a Man with Godly Convictions (1:9): Leaders must be devoted to the Truth and God's Word and be diligent in an approach to teaching (healthy and based on sound doctrine), including use of the text to reproach when necessary. 
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your are SO good - Your mercies are new every morning and You provide all that I need, physical needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.